======Tradeable Materials======
=====Introduction=====
Tradeable Materials are a broad category of substances, primarily derived from magical [[creatures]] and [[plants]], which possess inherent magical properties. These materials serve as the fundamental components for a wide range of magical practices, most notably [[potion-making]] and [[wandlore]]. The trade and control of these substances are regulated by the [[Ministry of Magic]] and form a significant part of the wizarding economy, supporting establishments like the [[Apothecary]] in [[Diagon Alley]]. Their value and rarity often drive quests for acquisition, both legal and illicit, throughout the series.
=====Information and Regulation=====
  * **Type:** Magical substances, creature by-products, and potion ingredients
  * **Regulation:** The sale and possession of these materials are overseen by the [[Ministry of Magic]], which categorizes them based on their potential danger. The known classifications are:
    * **Class A:** Non-Tradeable Materials. These are highly dangerous substances that are illegal to sell or traffic, such as [[Venomous Tentacula]] seeds. The [[Ban on Experimental Breeding]] also governs the creation of new and dangerous magical creatures that could be a source of such materials.
    * **Class B:** Dangerous Materials. These substances are tradeable but are subject to strict controls. An example includes [[Lionfish]] spines.
    * **Class C:** Tradeable Materials. These substances are considered safe enough for general sale and can be purchased freely at licensed shops like apothecaries.
=====Description and Examples=====
Tradeable Materials encompass a vast array of items with different appearances and origins. They can be parts of magical beasts, rare plants, or other magically imbued substances.
  * **Examples of Class C Materials (Freely Tradeable):**
    * **[[Wand Cores]]:** [[Unicorn hair]], [[Dragon heartstring]], and [[Phoenix feather]] are the three "Supreme Cores" used by [[Garrick Ollivander]].
    * **[[Potion]] Ingredients:** Common ingredients stocked at [[Hogwarts]] and sold in [[Diagon Alley]] include [[Bezoars]], [[Boomslang skin]], [[Lacewing flies]], [[Bicorn horn]], [[Mandrake]] root, [[Dittany]], and [[Ashwinder eggs]].
  * **Examples of Prohibited or Controlled Materials:**
    * **[[Acromantula]] Venom:** Highly valuable and extremely dangerous, making it a Class A Non-Tradeable material. [[Horace Slughorn]] noted its high price and scarcity.
    * **[[Gillyweed]]:** While used by [[Harry Potter]] in the [[Triwizard Tournament]], its legal status for open trade is not specified, though it can be sourced by specialists like [[Severus Snape]].
=====Magical Properties and Usage=====
The primary function of these materials is to act as catalysts or core components in the creation of other magical effects or objects.
  * **[[Potion-Making]]:** This is the most common application. The precise combination and preparation of ingredients are essential to brewing a successful [[potion]]. For example, the powerful [[Polyjuice Potion]] requires a month to stew and includes rare ingredients like fluxweed, knotgrass, [[Lacewing flies]], leeches, [[Bicorn horn]], and shredded [[Boomslang skin]].
  * **[[Wandlore]]:** The core of a [[wand]] is a magical substance that channels the witch or wizard's magic. The properties of the material, such as the loyalty of [[Unicorn hair]] or the power of [[Dragon heartstring]], significantly influence the wand's character.
  * **Antidotes and Healing:** Certain materials have powerful curative properties. A [[Bezoar]] is a stone from the stomach of a goat that acts as an antidote to most poisons. [[Dittany]] is a magical plant whose essence can heal wounds and prevent scarring.
=====Role in the Story=====
The acquisition and use of tradeable materials are recurring plot points that highlight aspects of the wizarding world's economy, laws, and the resourcefulness of characters.
  * **//Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone//:** Harry's first trip to the [[Apothecary]] in [[Diagon Alley]] introduces him to the sheer variety of strange and wonderful ingredients that form the basis of his [[Potions]] lessons.
  * **//Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets//:** [[Hermione Granger]], [[Ron Weasley]], and Harry conspire to steal [[Boomslang skin]] and [[Bicorn horn]] from [[Snape]]'s private stores to brew the [[Polyjuice Potion]], demonstrating that some valuable materials are kept under lock and key even within [[Hogwarts]].
  * **//Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire//:** [[Barty Crouch Jr.]], disguised as [[Alastor Moody]], regularly steals ingredients from Snape's office to continue brewing the [[Polyjuice Potion]] he needs to maintain his disguise.
  * **//Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince//:** The concept of material classification is explicitly introduced. [[Horace Slughorn]]'s desire for rare materials like [[Acromantula]] venom after [[Aragog]]'s death and his gift of a [[Bezoar]] to Harry—which later saves Ron's life from poison—showcase the value and life-saving potential of these substances.
  * **//Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows//:** The practical need for healing supplies becomes critical. Hermione brings a supply of [[Dittany]], which proves essential for healing Ron's splinching injury after the escape from the [[Ministry of Magic]] and Harry's snake bite wound from [[Nagini]] in [[Godric's Hollow]].